Ports future in doubt amid chaos

Mid Ulster club left rocked by yet another crisis as match at Coleraine called off

Portadown FC are in turmoil with a board meeting scheduled for Thursday night to discuss 'the future of the club', after their opening game of the season away to Coleraine has been postponed.

The IFA held an emergency meeting last night where it was decided to uphold a 'suspension of football activities' for the Mid Ulster club over “non-payment of disciplinary fines”.

Despite an appeal by the Shamrock Park club, the IFA decided not to use 'discretion' in this case, and whether or not Coleraine will automatically be awarded three points from the fixture is yet to be decided.

The Ports are already starting the campaign on minus 12 points due to issues relating to Peter McMahon’s contract status from last season, with the club's IFA hearing for that particular case now postponed.

The club are also barred from signing players on professional contracts until next summer.

This latest installment in a series of hapless events at the club will further strain relations between the club's board of director and fans, who have voiced their displeasure at the running of the club for the past twelve months.